Olympics ticket: Nkiyu, Amakapabo drum support for Dream Team

Coaches resident in Nigeria including U-17 Women team handler, Bala Nkiyu and Rangers Head Coach Imama Amakapabo have expressed confidence in the ability of Nigeria’s U-23 boys, Dream Team X1 to shake off nervy display during their first Olympics qualifier match against Mali and go all out to grab Rio 2016 ticket.
Samson Siasia-led Dream team survived a near upset by their Malian counterparts to force out a 3-2 victory in the ongoing U-23 AFCON tournament.
Nkiyu who was reacting to the performance of the Nigeria side on Sunday night opined that the opening in any competition is usually suspense-soaked.
According to him, “If you ask me, I won’t just judge this team by their performance against Mali. The most important thing is that they won and got the three points at stake.
“All they need right now is to remain focused so as to get the Olympics ticket which is the most important thing. As Nigerians, we have to support them to make things easier for them.
On his part, Amakapabo who has remained supportive of national teams even as a club coach said “No team should be seen as small especially in tournament such as the ongoing AFCON in Senegal. Our team did well in the first half.
“May be the players took things for granted in the second half by thinking that it was all over after scoring three goals in the first 45 minutes. It is not over yet. I believe they will be better as the competition progresses.”
Report emanated shortly after Dream Team first game that their camp allowances were yet to be paid. Many are of the opinion that the inability of authorities to supply their needs could hamper the country’s ambition of picking Olympics in football after missing out at 2012 edition.
However, the team having recovered from opening game hurdles assured of their readiness to compound Egypt woes when they trade tackles today.